Furlong Vision Correction Spearheads Charitable Campaign in the Bay Area

Giving back to the community and sharing the benefits of LASIK eye surgery was the inspiration for our Gift of Sight Program launched in June 2002. The aim of the charitable campaign is to provide LASIK surgery at no cost to qualified Bay Area residents who either work in or are clients of a non-profit organization. Patients are selected based on their optical and financial needs, as well as their current and future contributions to our community. Each patient undergoes a thorough examination to establish eligibility for the LASIK procedure and receives free pre- and post-operative treatment.

"With vision problems affecting half of all people in the United States, it's only right that every eligible person have the opportunity to benefit from the latest that LASIK technology has to offer," said Dr. Michael T. Furlong, founder of the Gift of Sight Program. "Through this campaign's efforts, and the wonderful assistance of many other local charitable organizations, we are doing our part to make sure local residents aren't left out simply because they can't afford the procedure. We're looking at this program and others as ways to expand our outreach to the community."

The 2007 recipients of the program are 6 emoployees from HOPE Services. HOPE Services provides programs and services to 3,000 individuals with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and other conditions closely related to mental retardation and requiring similar programming. Providing a comprehensive array of quality services, HOPE enables infants, young people, adults and seniors to live and participate in their communities.

"We are delighted to be recipients of Furlong Vision Correction's Gift of Sight," said Dr. Joe Campbell, CEO of HOPE Services. "For the general public, vision correction procedures are elective, but for our clients and instructors, who were the 2006 Gift of Sight recipients, it means a great deal more. HOPE clients and staff cannot afford vision correction procedures and have had issues with not being able to see well due to scratched lenses, infected eyes, glasses broken or knocked off on the job. Furlong Vision Correction's generous service will greatly enhance their daily lives, self esteem and ability to perform their jobs."

Previous recipients of the program include ten patients - six men and four women ranging in age from 34 to 75 years old - who have benefited from the program. "Anyone who needs corrective eyewear understands how expensive, burdensome and confining they can be," said Connie Cherry, a 74-year-old pre-school teacher in Palo Alto. "For more than 30 years I wore glasses and was forced to limit my travel at night. Now that I've had the LASIK procedure, I can spend more time with my students, family and friends, instead of looking for my glasses. The procedure really is amazing and life changing."

Furlong Vision Correction has also donated laser eye surgeries to raise funds for the following organizations:

• American Cancer Society
• Diabetes Society of Santa Clara County
• Crohn's and Colitis Foundation
• Valle Monte League
• Junior League of San Jose
• Make-A-Wish Foundation
• KTEH Public Television
• Various Local Schools